Crypto License in Montenegro
Secure a crypto license in Montenegro to legally conduct your business. Stress-free and in the shortest delays, with LegalBison’s assistance.
Quick facts: Montenegro Crypto License
| License Type | Crypto Asset Service Provider (CASP)* |
|---|---|
| Regulator | Capital Market Authority (CMA) (also known as the Capital Market Commission, responsible for managing the online register of all entities offering crypto-related services) |
| Timeframe | from 2 months |
| Government fees | 5,000 EUR governmental application fee (one-time) |
| Minimal capital | None for the license, 1 EUR for a Montenegro LLC |
| Corporate tax | 9% / 12% / 15% (brackets system) |
| Key advantages | Cost effective, fast set-up, European without the EU’s heavy compliance requirements. |
*Not to be confused with EU MiCA CASP. The name has been chosen to align with EU standards, but Montenegro doesn’t answer to the MiCA regulation.
This guide details the essential steps to forming a licensed crypto business in Montenegro, covering the specific legal framework, allowed activities, requirements and ongoing obligations.
- Affordable framework: The Montenegro CASP license ranges among the least expensive options on the table for crypto entrepreneurs in 2026.
- Short licensing process: Only two months are necessary to fully incorporate and register the company as a proper crypto licensed company.
- A European license outside of MiCA: There are very few options for crypto entrepreneurs willing to get a European license but are not interested in MiCA. Montenegro is arguably one of the best such options.
- Very low taxation for Europe: Ranging from 9% to 15% depending on the income bracket, one of the lowest rate of the whole continent.
- Rapidly developing financial system and trustworthy reputation: Montenegro’s financial system is developing rapidly, and its reputation as a jurisdiction with a trustworthy regulatory scene strongly attracts both local and international investors.
Discover the legal basis of the Montenegro crypto license and its main advantages for starting or expanding a crypto company in Europe and globally.
Legal experts in designing solutions for crypto licensing worldwide.
Certified ACAMS consultant with 5+ years experience in compliance and FinTech regulations.
Regulatory Overview: Crypto-assets Services Providers registration in Montenegro
The legal framework for crypto in Montenegro is established through the “Law on the Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing“, last amended in December 2025, along with updated guidelines on preventing money laundering in financial services organizations.
Montenegro requires all entities intending to provide crypto-related services to be formally entered into the Register of Crypto-asset Service Providers managed by the Capital Market Authority.
This framework follows years of a sandbox regime, that allowed the jurisdiction to gather experience and knowledge on properly regulating and incentivizing crypto companies. Drawing inspiration from the MiCA framework, in the optics of joining the EU, Montenegro still chose to not apply the heavy aspects of the European framework until it joins the Union.
Who is the regulatory authority behind the Montenegro crypto license? The Capital Market Authority (CMA, Komisija za tržište kapitala) is an independent national institution, created by law, and responsible for regulating the crypto business industry in Montenegro.
Which activities are allowed with a Montenegro VASP license? The Montenegrin AML law defines ten specific crypto-asset services that a registered entity may perform in Montenegro:
- Custody and administration of crypto-assets on behalf of customers;
- Operation of a trading platform for crypto-assets;
- Exchange of crypto-assets for official currency (crypto exchange);
- Exchange of crypto-assets for other crypto-assets;
- Execution of orders for crypto-assets on behalf of customers;
- Placing of crypto-assets;
- Reception and transmission of orders for crypto-assets on behalf of customers;
- Providing advice on crypto-assets;
- Portfolio management of crypto-assets;
- Providing transfer services for crypto-assets on behalf of customers (including crypto-ATMs).
All of these activities fall under the same regulatory framework constituted by the AML law.
Montenegro’s emergence as a crypto-friendly jurisdiction marks a significant step forward for the digital asset industry. By establishing a clear legal framework for crypto assets and services, and aligning with international standards, the country offers a supportive environment for virtual asset service providers, cryptocurrency exchanges, and other crypto companies.
The Montenegro crypto license tends to do everything right: a reasonable cost, a low tax rate, obligations on the low end of the spectrum, and a reasonable compliance framework and substance requirements.
- Low barrier to entry: The costs range in the lowest end of modern crypto frameworks for registration, licensing and maintenance;
- Globally recognized compliance standards: Inspired by the MiCA regulation but without the heaviness;
- Progressive regulatory approach: Montenegro developed its crypto framework by evolving its previous sandbox license, showing an approach based on market needs;
- Financial benefits: In addition to being low cost and low fees to start and operate, Montenegro businesses benefit from one of the lowest tax rates in Europe;
- Simplicity: One reference text (the AML law), one regulator (the CMA) and one reporting entity (the FIU).
Does it sound like Montenegro offers the ideal conditions for your crypto business to flourish? Let’s talk about it with an expert! We offer free consultation and get back to requests within 24 hours during business days.
A few words about us from our esteemed clients
LegalBison helped us navigate a space that’s often uncertain and complex, which gave us the confidence to move forward with our project.
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Best company for Crypto Licenses! Kudos to the team for making the incorporation of our company really smooth
Quick set-up and straightforward process. It was a smooth process, we are happy to have chosen LegalBison as our Partner for incorporations, globally.
As a result of the fruitful cooperation with LegalBison, Yellow Card obtained a VASP registration, fast and without any legal complications.
The team of LegalBison was very helpful and fast in supporting my company’s structural set up. They are undoubtedly top-level experts when it comes to licensing and registrations in the crypto and web3 industry. Highly recommend!
What are the application requirements for a Montenegro Crypto License
Montenegro has easy-to-meet requirements for a crypto license in Europe, especially in comparison to the requirements for registering as a CASP under MiCA.
| Duration | from 2 to 4 months |
|---|---|
| Local office | Registered address |
| Local director | No |
| Accounting and auditing | Yes (mandatory) |
| Economic substance | Light, do not require physical establishment |
| Government fee | Yes (5,000 EUR, one-time) |
| Corporate income tax (CIT) | 9% to 15% (tax brackets system) |
| Withholding tax (WHT) | 15% |
The Capital Market Authority enforces strict “fit and proper” standards to ensure the reputation and integrity of the crypto sector:
- Authorized persons: Directors, management body members, and beneficial owners must demonstrate a clean criminal record and professional reputation. This includes verification that they have not been convicted of crimes related to labor rights, property, or official duties;
- Compliance officer: The entity must appoint a compliance officer for the prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing, along with at least one deputy (if the company counts more than 4 employees);
- Business plan: A detailed plan indicating the services to be provided and the marketing strategy must be submitted;
- Internal AML/CFT policies: Applicants must establish internal acts, policies, and controls for risk management and suspicious transaction detection;
- Beneficial owners register: The entity must be entered into the Beneficial Owners Register before CASP registration can be finalized.
Beside the obligation to appoint a compliance officer, there are no strict economic substance requirements in Montenegro that would require directors or shareholders to become residents of Montenegro. A local registered office is mandatory but isn’t required to be populated by company workers.
What is the step-by-step licensing process in Montenegro?
As a relatively simple framework, the crypto licensing process in Montenegro is both straightforward and short, in comparison to other jurisdictions (especially European ones).
Step 1: Company incorporation
Register the legal entity with the Central Registry of Business Entities (CRPS).
- Gathering of the documents for incorporation
- Registration of the legal entity
- Registration of the company address in Montenegro
- Provision of company documents to the beneficial owners
Output: registration of a Montenegro LLC.
Step 2: Application preparation
Appoint the required compliance personnel and draft all the necessary documentation.
- Drafting of AML/CFT policies and guidelines
- Drafting of the mandatory business plan
- Drafting of the internal risk management procedures
- Appointment of the compliance officer
Output: proper preparation of all the required documents, in accordance with the AML/CFT laws and CMA guidelines.
Step 3: Licensing process
Submit the formal request to the Capital Market Authority. The Authority checks the authenticity of data and performs international cooperation checks to confirm the reputation of the management. Upon approval, the CASP is entered into the electronic database and may begin providing services in Montenegro.
- Filing of the application
- Disbursement of the 5,000 EUR government fee for application
- Communication with the authority
Output: the license is granted to the Montenegro LLC and business can start.
Step 4: Banking solutions
Once the crypto license has been granted to the Montenegrin company, it is possible to start conversations with banking institutions, in order to open a corporate account. Optionally, it also opens the way to payment gateways, as may be necessary for on and off-ramping solutions, for example. In Montenegro, it is feasible for a cryptocurrency company to open a local bank account.
Output: you can now accept fiat payments from your clients and process fiat-crypto exchange transactions.
Costs and fees for a Montenegro cryptocurrency company
Setting-up a Montenegro crypto licensed company is an affordable way to enter the crypto business market. Still, Web3 entrepreneurs must be aware of the different costs ahead, both for registration and for operating the company.
Initial setup and company incorporation costs
An LLC (DOO) company in Montenegro requires a minimum registered capital of 1 EUR. Major companies opting for the Joint Stock Company form (JSC, or AD in Montenegrin) are however required to deposit a minimum required capital of 25,000 EUR. All the incorporation fees are included in LegalBison’s services.
CASP registration & licensing fees
Montenegro requires formal entry into the official Register of Crypto-asset Service Providers to start operating as a crypto company.
The CASP application fee is one-time state fee of 5,000 EUR, paid at the application stage to the Capital Market Authority.
A few other minor fees are included in our services’ pricing.
Operational and ongoing compliance costs
The main ongoing costs for a crypto licensed company in Montenegro are the maintenance of the corporate structure, accounting and auditing and the resident compliance officer.
While maintaining the company and bookkeeping are relatively unexpensive, having a compliance officer officiate in your company equates having a full-time employee with a monthly salary to pay to the individual on duty. The exact cost is variable and can be discussed directly with LegalBison’s experts during a free consultation.
Corporate and cryptocurrency taxation in Montenegro
Montenegro offers one of the most competitive tax environments in Europe for crypto businesses.
- Corporate income tax: A flat rate of 9% for profits up to 100,000 EUR. For higher profits, a progressive scale applies, up to 15% for profits above 1,5 million EUR;
- Exemption of VAT for crypto assets services;
- Dividends are taxed at the fixed rate of 15%.
Compliance and maintenance requirements after securing a Montenegro crypto license
Registered crypto-asset service providers are subject to continuous monitoring by the Capital Market Authority. Key compliance duties include the identification of the clients of the services and the monitoring of the crypto asset transactions.
- Customer Due Diligence (CDD): Identifying customers and verifying beneficial owners for transactions exceeding 1,000 EUR;
- Transfer rules: Originator and beneficiary data must accompany all crypto asset transactions;
- Suspicious activity reporting: Mandatory reporting to the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) when there are grounds for suspicion of money laundering or terrorist financing;
- Annual audits: Depending on the size of the entity, regular internal controls and independent audits of the risk management system may be required.
Failure to maintain these standards can result in deactivation or deletion from the Register of Crypto-asset Service Providers.
Common misconceptions about the Montenegro CASP license
No, the Central Bank of Montenegro isn’t the institution responsible for licensing and superivsing crypto companies in the jurisdiction. An independent governmental body, the Capital Market Authority (CMA), fulfills this role.
No, the deposited capital requirements are not aligned with EU’s MiCA regulation. There are no minimum capital requirements to register as a crypto company in Montenegro, beside the legal requirement to deposit 1 EUR for a LLC or 25,000 EUR for a JSC.
No, legally speaking, it is not correct to talk about a license in Montenegro. It is, in pure legal speak, a registration as a crypto-asset services provider.
What are the texts composing the legal framework of the Montenegro crypto license
The fundamental basis for the crypto framework in Montenegro is the Law on the Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (Zakon o sprečavanju pranja novca i finansiranja terorizma), last amended in 2025 and specifically formulating the framework for crypto-assets services providers at this occasion. The amendments define crypto assets as digital representations of value or rights that can be transferred and stored electronically using distributed ledger technology. The legal framework also includes electronic money and tokens representing electronic money as part of the definition of crypto assets. Montenegro’s legal framework supports the registration of services like custody, trading platforms, and exchanges.
On December 25th of 2025, the CMA issued the Rulebook on the conduct of the registry of service providers associated with crypto-assets and reputation assessment for the director, members of the society, members of the governing and leadership bodies, and the actual owner of the legal entity or business society or entrepreneur or physical person who perform the services activities associated with crypto-asset, a 15-pages document that completed the AML law in terms of defining the business and registration framework for crypto companies in the jurisdiction.
As company registration in Montenegro is a mandatory requirement to register as a crypto business, the Law on Business Undertakings, last amended in 2021, also applies and sets the requirements and obligations proper to the legal entity itself.
Future EU integration and crypto businesses
Montenegro’s ongoing efforts toward EU integration offer significant advantages for crypto asset trading platforms and other emerging industry trends of the evolving crypto market dynamics. By aligning its regulatory framework with EU standards, particularly in areas such as anti money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) procedures, Montenegro ensures that its crypto assets sector remains robust and credible.
The anticipated adoption of the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR) will further harmonize the rules governing crypto assets across Europe, providing greater legal certainty and facilitating cross-border operations. Although Montenegro is not yet an EU member, its proactive stance on regulatory alignment positions its crypto businesses to seamlessly interact with EU-based entities and adapt to future regulatory changes. This commitment to international best practices helps maintain the trustworthiness of the local financial system and supports the sustainable growth of the crypto industry in Montenegro.
Costs and fees for a Montenegro cryptocurrency company
Setting-up a Montenegro crypto licensed company is an affordable way to enter the crypto business market. Still, Web3 entrepreneurs must be aware of the different costs ahead, both for registration and for operating the company.
Initial setup and company incorporation costs
An LLC (DOO) company in Montenegro requires a minimum registered capital of 1 EUR. Major companies opting for the Joint Stock Company form (JSC, or AD in Montenegrin) are however required to deposit a minimum required capital of 25,000 EUR. All the incorporation fees are included in LegalBison’s services.
CASP registration & licensing fees
Montenegro requires formal entry into the official Register of Crypto-asset Service Providers to start operating as a crypto company.
The CASP application fee is one-time state fee of 5,000 EUR, paid at the application stage to the Capital Market Authority.
A few other minor fees are included in our services’ pricing.
Operational and ongoing compliance costs
The main ongoing costs for a crypto licensed company in Montenegro are the maintenance of the corporate structure, accounting and auditing and the resident compliance officer.
While maintaining the company and bookkeeping are relatively unexpensive, having a compliance officer officiate in your company equates having a full-time employee with a monthly salary to pay to the individual on duty. The exact cost is variable and can be discussed directly with LegalBison’s experts during a free consultation.
Corporate and cryptocurrency taxation in Montenegro
Montenegro offers one of the most competitive tax environments in Europe for crypto businesses.
- Corporate income tax: A flat rate of 9% for profits up to 100,000 EUR. For higher profits, a progressive scale applies, up to 15% for profits above 1,5 million EUR;
- Exemption of VAT for crypto assets services;
- Dividends are taxed at the fixed rate of 15%.
Compliance and maintenance requirements after securing a Montenegro crypto license
Registered crypto-asset service providers are subject to continuous monitoring by the Capital Market Authority. Key compliance duties include the identification of the clients of the services and the monitoring of the crypto asset transactions.
- Customer Due Diligence (CDD): Identifying customers and verifying beneficial owners for transactions exceeding 1,000 EUR;
- Transfer rules: Originator and beneficiary data must accompany all crypto asset transactions;
- Suspicious activity reporting: Mandatory reporting to the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) when there are grounds for suspicion of money laundering or terrorist financing;
- Annual audits: Depending on the size of the entity, regular internal controls and independent audits of the risk management system may be required.
Failure to maintain these standards can result in deactivation or deletion from the Register of Crypto-asset Service Providers.
Common misconceptions about the Montenegro CASP license
No, the Central Bank of Montenegro isn’t the institution responsible for licensing and superivsing crypto companies in the jurisdiction. An independent governmental body, the Capital Market Authority (CMA), fulfills this role.
No, the deposited capital requirements are not aligned with EU’s MiCA regulation. There are no minimum capital requirements to register as a crypto company in Montenegro, beside the legal requirement to deposit 1 EUR for a LLC or 25,000 EUR for a JSC.
No, legally speaking, it is not correct to talk about a license in Montenegro. It is, in pure legal speak, a registration as a crypto-asset services provider.
What are the texts composing the legal framework of the Montenegro crypto license
The fundamental basis for the crypto framework in Montenegro is the Law on the Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing (Zakon o sprečavanju pranja novca i finansiranja terorizma), last amended in 2025 and specifically formulating the framework for crypto-assets services providers at this occasion. The amendments define crypto assets as digital representations of value or rights that can be transferred and stored electronically using distributed ledger technology. The legal framework also includes electronic money and tokens representing electronic money as part of the definition of crypto assets. Montenegro’s legal framework supports the registration of services like custody, trading platforms, and exchanges.
On December 25th of 2025, the CMA issued the Rulebook on the conduct of the registry of service providers associated with crypto-assets and reputation assessment for the director, members of the society, members of the governing and leadership bodies, and the actual owner of the legal entity or business society or entrepreneur or physical person who perform the services activities associated with crypto-asset, a 15-pages document that completed the AML law in terms of defining the business and registration framework for crypto companies in the jurisdiction.
As company registration in Montenegro is a mandatory requirement to register as a crypto business, the Law on Business Undertakings, last amended in 2021, also applies and sets the requirements and obligations proper to the legal entity itself.
Future EU integration and crypto businesses
Montenegro’s ongoing efforts toward EU integration offer significant advantages for crypto asset trading platforms and other emerging industry trends of the evolving crypto market dynamics. By aligning its regulatory framework with EU standards, particularly in areas such as anti money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) procedures, Montenegro ensures that its crypto assets sector remains robust and credible.
The anticipated adoption of the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR) will further harmonize the rules governing crypto assets across Europe, providing greater legal certainty and facilitating cross-border operations. Although Montenegro is not yet an EU member, its proactive stance on regulatory alignment positions its crypto businesses to seamlessly interact with EU-based entities and adapt to future regulatory changes. This commitment to international best practices helps maintain the trustworthiness of the local financial system and supports the sustainable growth of the crypto industry in Montenegro.
FAQ – Crypto company in Montenegro
Arguably one of the cheapest. Though inspired by MiCA for the compliance parts, Montenegro doesn’t integrate its regulatory heaviness and expensive requirements, keeping it a lean framework for crypto startups.
Though fast (about 2 months), not necessarily. Certain MiCA enforcing member states also have fast licensing processes. However, Montenegro shines as a lighter, more affordable option than the EU state members applying the MiCA regulation.
Our experience shows that it takes a minimum of 2 months to form a company in Montenegro and successfully secure the CASP registration.
As for other companies, crypto businesses are taxed following the brackets model of Montenegro: 9% for the first 100,000 EUR, 12% up to 1,5M EUR and 15% for revenue above 1,5M EUR.
Yes, with the correct documentation, this is possible. If your coin or token qualifies as security, you may be required to notify the Central Bank.
No, it has been overturned by the CASP regulation presented on this page.
Start your crypto company in Montenegro today
In the fast-paced and ever-changing world of crypto market dynamics, expert consulting is a key element for success. Navigating the regulatory landscape, understanding the requirements for a VASP license, and developing a robust business strategy all require specialized knowledge and experience.
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Legal experts in designing solutions for crypto licensing worldwide.
Certified ACAMS consultant with 5+ years experience in compliance and FinTech regulations.